Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 19 clash between the Broncos and Dragons.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Brisbane Broncos Vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Saturday, July 13, 7:35 pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Joshua Rogers 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Tyson Smoothy 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau 18. Vaa Semu 19. Cory Paix 20. Israel Leota
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Jesse Marschke 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Hame Sele 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 18. Jack Bird 19. Savelio Tamale 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Ryan Couchman 22. Michael Molo
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
It’s been a tough month-and-a-half for the Broncos. Their last win was on May 17, when they defeated the Sea Eagles by one point during Magic Round (13-12).
Taking on the Panthers without their injured stars would be a big ask for the Broncos, especially without big-name players such as Adam Reynolds and Kotoni Staggs. After a quiet game in round 17, Reece Walsh was back to his best, scoring a scintillating try. The Broncos’ injury woes got worse after Jock Madden went off with a hamstring injury. In the end, the Panthers proved too strong for the depleted Broncos.
Kevin Walters has made many changes, mostly for their missing Origin stars. Tristan Sailor has been named at fullback, and Tyson Smoothy comes into lock. Staggs returns from personal leave. Josh Rogers has been named at halfback. Jordan Riki returns from suspension, and Xavier Willison starts at prop.
The Dragons had their moments against the Roosters. Only eight points down at halftime, the Dragons were the first to score to be only two points behind (14-12). However, they would get overrun in the end, losing by 30 points (42-12).
The Dragons are also missing a few stars to Origin. Jesse Marschke has been named at halfback, and Mikaele Ravalawa is on the wing. Jaydn Su’A has been cleared of a quad injury and will take his place in the second row. Raymond Faitala-Mariner also returns after sitting out last week’s loss due to back spasms. Jack Bird is the 18th Man after returning through the NSW Cup last week.
Two men feeling the pressure this week are the two halfbacks, Rogers and Marschke. Both men have plenty of experience playing lower grades in the halves, but only have a handful of NRL games between them, and both will need to step up and lead their team. Su’A will want a big match to show QLD coach Billy Slater that he made a mistake not picking him in the squad.
Looking at stats for away sides that have played Suncorp Stadium, the Dragons are equal first with the most goals kicked in a game. Gareth Widdop kicked seven from seven, and Zac Lomax kicked three from three, in the elimination final against the Broncos in 2018 (the Dragons won the game 48-18).
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Broncos by 8 points.
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